Sliding closure and container

ABSTRACT

Novel lockable safety closures and containers comprising the closures are described herein. The containers and closures are useful for dispensing valuable, dangerous, or potentially dangerous goods, and are easy for adults (including the elderly or frail) to open, but difficult for children to open. The closures include a displaceable slider covering a main opening for accessing the interior of a container. The slide includes one or more depressible tabs that keep to slider in a closed, and which can be opening by depressing the tab (or tabs) and urging the slider to an open position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 of PCT/US2019/39742, filed on Jun. 28, 2019,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/692,151, filed on Jun. 29, 2018, each of which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to sliding closures for containers. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to caps and containers with slidingclosure features.

BACKGROUND

Currently most medications and hazardous or harmful consumer goods(e.g., cleaning agents, pesticides, etc.) are distributed in containersthat use a safety closure (often referred to as a “child-resistantclosure” or a “child-resistant cap”) with some sort of a push and turnmechanism to unlock the closure for access to the container contents.Given the number of children who fatality ingest or are seriouslyinjured by medications or hazardous consumer goods, the child-resistantfeature is a mandatory component in many jurisdictions for allover-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, for example. However,such push and turn mechanisms can be difficult for individuals withlimited dexterity (specifically the elderly) to open. In addition, thereare many other negative attributes to standard packaging systems. U.S.Pat. No. 9,365,333 to Batzel et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 9,919,837 toBatzel, collectively referred to herein as the “Batzel patents”, whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, disclosecertain push and slide type safety closures, however, there is anongoing need for improved or alternative sliding closure designs. Theclosures described herein address this need.

SUMMARY

Novel, lockable closures, and containers comprising the closures, aredescribed herein. The containers and closures described herein can beused in conjunction with any desired content (liquid or solid).Typically, the containers and closures are useful for dispensingvaluable, dangerous, or potentially dangerous goods, and are easy foradults (including the elderly or frail) to open, but physically orintellectually difficult for children to open (i.e., child-resistant);however, the sliders can be designed to be relatively easily opened byanyone (non-child-resistant), if desired. The closures include adisplaceable slider covering a main opening of the container foraccessing the interior of a container body to which the closure ismounted. The slider includes one or more depressible tabs that help keepthe slider stayed over the main opening of the container. Access to theinterior is achieved by depressing the tab (or tabs) and displacing theslider.

The container embodiments disclosed herein include polyhedral containerforms (square, rectangular, pentagonal, etc., in cross section),generally referred to as “cuboidal” herein or, as applicable, “truncatedcuboidal”, but can be implemented in other container forms, e.g. classicround (i.e., cylindrical), ellipsoidal or even spherical containers.

The closures comprise a closure body (also referred to herein as a“cap”) and a sliding closure (a “slider”) that is fitted within a grooveor track in the closure body. The slider covers the main opening of theclosure (and the main opening of the container body, if separate). Theslider can be slidingly displaced through an auxiliary opening (alsoreferred to herein as a “slider port”) in the closure body to uncoverthe main opening. In some embodiments, the closure body is an integratedpart or portion of the container body. In other embodiments, the closurebody is a separate piece that is mated, either permanently orremoveably, with a container body over the main opening thereof. Theslider includes a depressible tab (e.g., one or more tabs) that engagewith or are blocked by a framing structure around the slider port. Theslider is mounted in the closure body in a track (e.g., a groove orspaced pairs of bars or rails) that allows slideable displacement of theslider within the track.

The tab or tabs can be depressed by modest pressure (e.g., from a fingeror thumb of an adult), so that the tab is no longer blocked by theframing structure and the slider can then be slid through the sliderport while holding down the tab. The tab is biased to that it willrebound when the pressure is released. Retaining buttons or stopspreferably are included on the slider to prevent the slider from beinginadvertently completely removed from the closure body. The stops areconstructed and arranged to control how far the slider will be displacedunder normal usage and to allow removal of the slider when desired.Locks, safety seals, and other anti-tamper or child-resistant featuresalso can be included on the closures and containers described herein.The closure preferably includes sealing features for forming tight sealsbetween the slider and the main opening of the closure. The followingnon-limiting embodiments illustrate certain aspects and features of thecontainers and closures described herein.

Embodiment 1 comprises a closure for a container that comprises acontainer body defining an interior chamber, and that defines anaperture open to the interior chamber; the closure comprising:

-   -   a closure body defining a fixed main opening and a slider port;        wherein the main opening of the closure and the container        aperture are aligned to permit access to the interior chamber of        the container when the closure body is attached to the container        body for use;    -   a slider mounted in the closure body blocking the main opening        in a closed configuration; the slider having an inner surface        facing the main opening and an opposite outer surface; wherein        the slider is configured to be displaceable in a direction        leading through the slider port to clear the main opening, exit        the closure body partially or completely in an open        configuration, and to be displaceable back to the closed        configuration; and    -   at least one resilient depressible tab on the outer surface of        the slider; the tab being constructed and arranged so that, when        the slider is in the closed configuration, the tab is adjacent        to the slider port and prevents the slider from being displaced        through the slider port; and depressing the tab enables the        slider to be displaced through the slider port to place the        slider in the open configuration; wherein the tab comprises a        resilient structure selected from the group consisting of:    -   (a) an arched elongate band fixed at two opposed ends thereof to        the outer surface of the slider and positioned on the slider        adjacent to the slider port when the slider is in the closed        configuration; the band comprising a resilient segment between        the two ends thereof oriented parallel to the slider port, the        resilient segment being arched away from the outer surface of        the slider to a height sufficient to be blocked by a portion of        the closure body surrounding the slider port in a released        state; and wherein the resilient segment can be depressed to a        height sufficient to clear the portion of the closure body        surrounding the slider port so that the slider can be displaced        through the slider port; and the resilient segment rebounds to        the released state when no longer depressed;    -   (b) a resilient dome fixed to the outer surface of the slider,        the dome having a height that is sufficient to be blocked by a        portion of the closure body surrounding the slider port in a        released state, and positioned on the slider so that the dome is        adjacent to the slider port when the slider is in the closed        configuration; and wherein the dome can be depressed to a height        sufficient to clear the portion of the closure body surrounding        the slider port so that the slider can be displaced through the        slider port, and the dome rebounds to the released state when no        longer depressed;    -   (c) an elongate cantilevered band fixed at one end thereof to        the outer surface of the slider and having an opposed free end;        the cantilevered band being oriented perpendicular to the        displacement direction of the slider and positioned on the        slider adjacent to the slider port when the slider is in the        closed configuration; the free end of the cantilevered band        extending over the outer surface of the slider to a height        sufficient to be blocked by a portion of the closure body        surrounding the slider port in a released state; wherein the        free end of the cantilevered band can be depressed to a height        sufficient to clear the portion of the closure body surrounding        the slider port so that the slider can be displaced through the        slider port; and the free end of the cantilevered band rebounds        to the released state when no longer depressed;    -   (d) a spring-biased button fixed to the outer surface of the        slider and positioned on the slider adjacent to the slider port        when the slider is in the closed configuration; the        spring-biased button having a height sufficient to be blocked by        a portion of the closure body surrounding the slider port in a        released state; and wherein the spring-biased button can be        depressed sufficiently to clear the portion of the closure body        surrounding the slider port so that the slider can be displaced        through the slider port; and the spring-biased button rebounds        to the released state when no longer depressed; and    -   (e) an elongate lever fixed at one end thereof to the outer        surface of the slider and having an opposed free end; the lever        being oriented along the displacement direction of the slider        and positioned on the slider with the free end adjacent to,        within, or beyond the slider port when the slider is in the        closed configuration; the free end of the lever extending over        the outer surface of the slider to a height sufficient for a        portion of the closure body surrounding the slider port to block        or engage with the lever in a released state; wherein the free        end of the lever can be depressed to a height sufficient to        allow the lever to clear the portion of the closure body        surrounding the slider port, so that the slider can be displaced        through the slider port; and the free end of the lever rebounds        to the released state when no longer depressed; and wherein the        lever includes one or more feature selected from the group        consisting of a longitudinal split dividing the free end of the        lever into two depressible parts, a groove spaced from the free        end of the lever that is configured and arranged to receive a        portion of the closure body surrounding the slider portal within        the groove, and a head portion at the free end of the lever        which extends through the slider portal in the closed        configuration.

Embodiment 2 comprises the closure of embodiment 1, further comprisingat least one raised portion on the outer surface of the sliderpositioned and configured to allow the slider to be advanced a selecteddistance through the slider port and having a sufficient height from theouter surface of the slider to be blocked by the portion of the closurebody surrounding the slider port and prevent the slider from beingwholly removed from the closure body in normal use.

Embodiment 3 comprises the closure of embodiment 2, wherein the heightof the raised portion is selectively adjustable to clear the slider portfor full removal of the slider from the closure body.

Embodiment 4 comprises the closure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3,wherein the slider includes a plurality of the depressible tabs on theouter surface thereof, and the plurality of depressible tabs are spacedfrom each other.

Embodiment 5 comprises the closure of any one of embodiments 1 to 4,wherein edges of the slider ride on one or more internal tracks in theclosure body.

Embodiment 6 comprises the closure of any one of embodiments 1 to 4,wherein edges of the slider ride in one or more internal grooves in theclosure body.

Embodiment 7 comprises the closure of any one of embodiments 1 to 6,wherein the outer surface of the slider comprises two of the elongatecantilevered bands, (c).

Embodiment 8 comprises the closure of embodiment 7, wherein the freeends of the two cantilevered bands face each other.

Embodiment 9 comprises the closure of any one of embodiments 1 to 8,wherein the slider includes a head portion that extends through andbeyond the slider port in the closed configuration.

Embodiment 10 comprises the closure of any one of embodiments 1 to 9,further comprising at least one removable locking clip engageable withthe slider and closure body to prevent depressing the tab.

Embodiment 11 is a container comprising:

-   -   a container body defining an interior chamber, and defining a        container aperture open to the interior chamber; and    -   a sliding closure of any one of embodiments 1 to 10 affixed to        the container body over the container access.

Embodiment 12 comprises the container of claim 11, wherein the containerbody defines finger grip sections to accommodate a hand grasping thecontainer.

Embodiment 13 is a container comprising:

-   -   a cylindrical container body defining an interior chamber for        storing solid articles, fluids or other contents; the container        body having two closed, opposed ends and a cylindrical wall        between the ends;    -   an closure body on the cylindrical wall of the container body,        the closure body defining a fixed aperture for access to the        interior chamber of the container body and defining at least one        fixed slider port oriented longitudinally to the cylindrical        wall and framed by a portion of the closure body perpendicular        to the cylindrical wall;    -   a curved slider mounted in the closure body blocking the        aperture in a closed configuration; the slider having a        curvature that conforms to the curvature of the cylindrical wall        of the container body, and having an inner surface facing the        interior of the chamber and an opposite outer surface; wherein        the slider is configured to be displaceable through the fixed        slider port in a lateral direction along a curved path        conforming to the curvature of the cylindrical wall to clear the        aperture and exit the closure body partially or completely in an        open configuration, and to be displaceable back to the closed        configuration; and    -   at least one resilient depressible tab on the outer surface of        the slider; the tab being constructed and arranged so that, when        the slider is in the closed configuration, the tab is adjacent        to the slider port and a portion of the container body        surrounding the slider port blocks the tab and prevents the        slider from being displaced through the slider port; and        depressing the tab enables the closure to be displaced through        the slider port to place the container in the open        configuration.

Embodiment 14 comprises the container of embodiment 13, wherein the tabcomprises a resilient structure selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (a) an arched elongate band fixed at two opposed ends thereof to        the outer surface of the slider and positioned on the slider        adjacent to the slider port when the slider is in the closed        configuration; the band comprising a resilient segment between        the two ends thereof oriented parallel to the slider port, the        resilient segment being arched away from the outer surface of        the slider to a height sufficient to be blocked by a portion of        the closure body surrounding the slider port in a released        state; and wherein the resilient segment can be depressed to a        height sufficient to clear the portion of the closure body        surrounding the slider port so that the slider can be displaced        through the slider port; and the resilient segment rebounds to        the released state when no longer depressed;    -   (b) a resilient dome fixed to the outer surface of the slider,        the dome having a height that is sufficient to be blocked by a        portion of the closure body surrounding the slider port in a        released state, and positioned on the slider so that the dome is        adjacent to the slider port when the slider is in the closed        configuration; and wherein the dome can be depressed to a height        sufficient to clear the portion of the closure body surrounding        the slider port so that the slider can be displaced through the        slider port, and the dome rebounds to the released state when no        longer depressed;    -   (c) an elongate cantilevered band fixed at one end thereof to        the outer surface of the slider and having an opposed free end;        the cantilevered band being oriented perpendicular to the        displacement direction of the slider and positioned on the        slider adjacent to the slider port when the slider is in the        closed configuration; the free end of the cantilevered band        extending over the outer surface of the slider to a height        sufficient to be blocked by a portion of the closure body        surrounding the slider port in a released state; wherein the        free end of the cantilevered band can be depressed to a height        sufficient to clear the portion of the closure body surrounding        the slider port so that the slider can be displaced through the        slider port; and the free end of the cantilevered band rebounds        to the released state when no longer depressed;    -   (d) a spring-biased button fixed to the outer surface of the        slider and positioned on the slider adjacent to the slider port        when the slider is in the closed configuration; the        spring-biased button having a height sufficient to be blocked by        a portion of the closure body surrounding the slider port in a        released state; and wherein the spring-biased button can be        depressed sufficiently to clear the portion of the closure body        surrounding the slider port so that the slider can be displaced        through the slider port; and the spring-biased button rebounds        to the released state when no longer depressed; and    -   (e) an elongate lever fixed at one end thereof to the outer        surface of the slider and having an opposed free end; the lever        being oriented along the displacement direction of the slider        and positioned on the slider with the free end adjacent to,        within, or beyond the slider port when the slider is in the        closed configuration; the free end of the lever extending over        the outer surface of the slider to a height sufficient for a        portion of the closure body surrounding the slider port to block        or engage with the lever in a released state; wherein the free        end of the lever can be depressed to a height sufficient to        allow the lever to clear the portion of the closure body        surrounding the slider port, so that the slider can be displaced        through the slider port; and the free end of the lever rebounds        to the released state when no longer depressed.

Embodiment 15 comprises the container of embodiment 14; wherein thelever (e) includes one or more feature selected from the groupconsisting of a longitudinal split dividing the free end of the leverinto two depressible parts, a groove spaced from the free end of thelever that is configured and arranged to receive a portion of theclosure body surrounding the slider portal within the groove, and a headportion at the free end of the lever which extends through the sliderportal in the closed configuration.

Embodiment 16 comprises the container of any one of embodiments 13 to15, further comprising at least one raised portion on the outer surfaceof the slider positioned and configured to allow the slider to beadvanced a selected distance through the slider port and having asufficient height from the outer surface to be blocked by the portion ofthe closure body surrounding the slider port to prevent the slider frombeing wholly removed from the closure body in normal use.

Embodiment 17 comprises the container of embodiment 16, wherein theheight of the raised portion is selectively adjustable to clear theslider port for full removal of the closure from the closure body.

Embodiment 18 comprises the container of any one of embodiments 13 to17, wherein the slider includes a plurality of the depressible memberson the outer surface thereof, and the plurality of depressible membersare spaced from each other.

Embodiment 19 comprises the container of any one of embodiments 13 to18, wherein edges of the slider ride on one or more internal tracks inthe closure body.

Embodiment 20 comprises the container of any one of embodiments 13 to18, wherein edges of the slider ride in one or more internal grooves inthe closure body.

Embodiment 21 comprises the container of any one of embodiments s 13 to20, wherein the container body defines finger grip sections toaccommodate a hand grasping the container.

Embodiment 22 comprises the container of any one of embodiments 13 to21, further comprising at least one removable locking clip engageablewith the slider and closure body to prevent depressing the tab.

Embodiment 23 comprises the closure of any one of embodiments 1-10,further comprising a loop-shaped grasping head at the end of the sliderclosest to the slider port in the closed configuration.

Embodiment 24 comprises the container of any one of embodiments 11-22,further comprising a loop-shaped grasping head at the end of the sliderclosest to the slider port in the closed configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawing figures are provided to illustrate certainnon-limiting features of the closures and containers described herein.Other features and advantages of the described closures and containerswill be apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a container with an integral cap portionin a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a container with an integral cap portionin a closed configuration.

FIG. 4 shows the container of FIG. 3 in an open configuration.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a container with an integral cap portionin a closed configuration.

FIG. 6 shows the container of FIG. 5 in an open configuration.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a container with an integral cap portionin a closed configuration.

FIG. 8 shows the container of FIG. 7 in an open configuration.

FIG. 9 shows another container embodiment with a cylindrical body.

FIG. 10 shows a container embodiment in an open configuration.

FIG. 11 shows the container of FIG. 10 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 12 illustrates a slider portion of a closure embodiment.

FIG. 12A illustrates an alternative form of the slider of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 13 shows a container including the slider of FIG. 12 in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 13A shows a container including the slider of FIG. 12A in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 14 shows the container of FIG. 13 in an open configuration.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a container with an integral cap portionin a closed configuration.

FIG. 16 shows a container embodiment that includes a locking clip toprevent the closure of the container from being opened.

FIG. 17 shows the container of FIG. 16 with the clip removed.

FIG. 18 shows the container of FIG. 16 with the clip removed andillustrates a clip storage mechanism on the bottom of the container forholding the clip when not in use.

FIG. 19 illustrates a separate closure body that can be utilized withdifferent sliders, and which is designed to be mated with a separatecontainer body.

FIG. 20 illustrates a separate closure comprising the closure body ofFIG. 19 fitted with a slider.

FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment that includes a container body withfinger grips.

FIG. 22 illustrates a separate closure comprising a closure body similarto that of FIG. 19 fitted with a slider having a loop-shaped graspinghead at the end of the slider closest to the slider port in the closedconfiguration.

FIG. 23 illustrates a portion of the closure FIG. 22 , fitted with aslider, in an open configuration.

FIG. 24 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 14.

FIG. 25 illustrates a partial perspective view of a closure body base.

FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of a container body for use withthe closure body base of FIG. 25 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The sliders, depressible tabs, closure bodies, container bodies, stops,ridges, rails, and various other features thereof described herein andshown in the drawings may be fabricated as separate components that aresubsequently connected (e.g. joined, fitted or mated) in an assemblyprocess by appropriate fastening means including adhesive bonding,thermal bonding, ultrasonic welding, mechanical connection (e.g.,snap-fit), hardware fastening, optical welding, RF welding, inductionsealing, chemical welding, and by any other joining method.Alternatively, some components may be molded together as integral(unitary) parts. For example, or preferably, the depressible tab andslider may be fabricated as a unitary piece by molding or 3D printingprocesses and optionally subjected to a subsequent finishing processsuch as sculpting, polishing, deburring, and the like, for example.Similarly, the container body can be manufactured separately from theclosure body, or the container body and closure body can be integralwith each other (e.g., by molding the closure body and container body asone piece).

Containers comprising the closures described herein may contain human oranimal medications, consumer goods, or any other material. The contentsof the containers may be solids, including discrete or monolithicsolids, semisolids and certain gels, or fluids, such as Newtonian fluidsand or non-Newtonian fluids. Examples of such contents include pills,tablets, capsules, “gummy bear”-like formulations, liquids of any kind,wafers, leafs, sheets of perforated blister container tablets, powders,medicated or un-medicated shampoos, lotions, tobacco products, nicotineproducts, gelatins, or any other desired material

The closures described herein may comprise a closure body that isintegral with a container body, e.g., as in FIGS. 1-8, and 15-18 , ormay comprise a separate closure body (e.g., as in FIGS. 13, 13A, 14 and19-25 ) that is adapted to mate with a separate container, for example,by including threading, a snap-fit element, or a press-fit element onthe underside of the closure configured to mate with a complementaryelement on the container body. Alternatively, the separate closure maybe adapted for attachment to a container body by an adhesive, thermalbonding, inductive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, or any other method ofattachment suitable for use in mating closures to containers in asubstantially permanent fashion.

Features of any slider described herein or illustrated in the drawings(e.g., tabs, retaining features, sealing elements, tactile cues, visualcues, and the like) can be utilized with any closure body describedherein or illustrated in the drawings, with appropriate reconfigurationof closure features such as the slider portal, slider tracks, and thelike, if needed, to accommodate particular slider features andconfigurations.

In some cases, it may be either desirable or required that a finger oran implement (e.g., a syringe, a spoon, a syringe needle, a straw, aforceps, etc.) be inserted through the main opening of the closure inorder to remove the contents. If required or desired, the closure may beadapted so that the main opening comprises a stopper, a spout forliquids or solids or a piercable septum (e.g., to accommodate syringeneedles), or may be adapted to include a syringe fitting (e.g., Luerconnector). It is also conceivable that some contents may be removed bysipping or suction by mouth, and in such cases the container may beadapted with a mouthpiece or adapted with fittings to accommodate anattachable mouthpiece accessory. A variety of other accessories for theclosures and containers described herein can be contemplated (e.g., aspoon, a net, a straw, or any other implement).

In many cases it is desirable that the slider element be retained sothat it doesn't move out too far through the slider port. One way to dothis is to employ at least one protrusion on the slider, e.g., at leastone retaining-button or bar (i.e., a stop), which is sufficiently tallerthan whichever portion of the slider port that the protrusion (alsoreferred to herein as a “retaining-feature”) may contact as the slideris displaced through the slider port, to block the slider from furtherdisplacement. This can facilitate retention of the slider in the closureduring ordinary usage. In some embodiments, the protrusion will be justslightly taller than the relevant portion of the slider port to enableone to detach the slider by application of a modest force sufficient tocause elastic deformation of the protrusion and/or the framing aroundthe slider port, and in this case it is preferred that at least aportion of each retaining-feature or the framing around the slider portof the closure is polymeric. It should be understood that the slider canbe reattached to the rest of the closure after removal, for example, byinserting the slider back through the slider port in the sameorientation as it was when removed, and applying a modest force to theslider to pass the retaining-features back through the slider port. Theretaining-features may be permanently attached to the slider by means ofa permanent adhesive for example, or made part of the slider, by moldingor 3D printing, for example, or semi-permanently attached by means of apressure sensitive adhesive, a fastener, or other mechanical means(e.g., a snap-fit and the like). Such retaining-features can alsofurther facilitate one handed opening and closing operations and this isa considerable advantage over screw-capped bottles in widespread usetoday, because the consumer doesn't have to handle separate pieces likea cap and a bottle, while also trying to handle the contents beingremoved from the container.

On the other hand, situations are envisioned where it may be desirableto make the slider non-detachable from the rest of the containerclosure. One situation is in a medicine container reuse program wherewashing protocols may vary according the medicines formerly contained inthe container, and in this situation it is usually desirable that allcomponents of the container and closure remain together. This can beaccomplished, for example, in the following manner. First, themanufacturer or pharmacy fills the container; next, the manufacturer orpharmacy inserts slider; and then the manufacturer or pharmacypermanently attaches the retaining-feature to the slider, using, forexample, a cyanoacrylate adhesive, where in this situation, theretaining-feature is too tall or the various contacting components aretoo rigid to permit passage through slider port under forces ordinarilyapplied by consumers without breakage.

Additionally, the distal end of a slider (i.e., the end closest to theslider port in the closed configuration) may optionally elevate upwardto the height of the slider port, so as to cover or camouflage theslider port when slider is in the closed configuration, making it moredifficult to determine the direction or approach for opening thecontainer. This adds to the intellectual challenge of opening thecontainer and increases child resistance. Alternatively, oradditionally, the distal end of the slider may include a “head portion”that protrudes partly, or fully through the slider port when in theclosed configuration, e.g., to provide an aid in pulling the sliderthrough the slider port or to aid in pushing the slider back into afully closed and locker configuration.

It should now be readily apparent that the area of the main openingexposed for access to container contents will vary according to how farthe slider is displaced through the slider port, as well as by theposition and shape of the main opening under the slider. Thedisplaceable distance of the slider can, in turn, also be controlled bythe placement of retaining-features on the slider. Thus, by thestrategic placement of retaining-features on the slider of variousembodiments of the closures described herein, or by strategic selectionof the size and shape of the main opening of the closure body, a certaindegree of portion control or metering can be obtained, by onlyuncovering part of the main opening.

If desired, finger grips can be included on the container body (e.g., asin FIG. 21 ), to be used in conjunction with any of the closureembodiments described herein. Such finger grips can be configured toconform, generally to one or more digits of a hand, to aid in holding onto the container during opening and closing, and can be configured forergonomic comfort.

In some embodiments, the closure and or container can be configured sothat the slider is oriented at an angle relative to the plane defined bythe bottom of the container, such that during opening the slider isdisplaced upward at an angle away from the user when held with theslider port pointed away from the user. To open the container, the userpushes down on the depressible tab and urges the slider and thedepressible tab to pass through the slider port. Closing the containeris a simple matter of reversing the path of the slider. In someembodiments, the one or more depressible tabs may need to be depressedfor reinsertion through the slider portal (such as those tabs shown inFIGS. 1-8 ). In embodiments where one or more depressible tabs arecantilevered in the direction of slider motion, the tab(s) naturallydeflect when they encounter the blocking bar portion of the sliderportal when being reinserted through the slider portal. The depressibletab is biased to spring back up after being pushed down and released,which generally results in an audible click for most tab and portalmaterials once the tab is fully returned through the slider port and theslider is back in the closed configuration. The audible click canreassure the user that the container is closed and child-resistant afteruse. Other forms of audible, tactile and or visual cues or assurancescan be provided, if desired.

The containers and closures disclosed herein have clear ergonomicadvantages over popular screw cap pharmacy bottles and others whichrequire a twisting motion, among other motions when they possesschild-resistant features. When a grip is included on the container andwhen the slider is oriented to move at an upward angle away from theuser, as described above, opening the container is comfortable and has alow potential, if any, for adverse strain, both acute and chronic, whenoperated by adult consumers of average stature and health. One reasonfor this is because the fingers are only slightly flexed when grippingthe container (provided it is sized in proportion to an adult hand),and, aside from the motion that the thumb makes, which is small, fewother, if any, motions are necessary to open the container.

Containers for use in conjunction with the closures described herein canbe any desired shape or size. For example, the container can have agenerally round or cylindrical shape that makes it suitable for use inpharmacy industry automated filling machines which are presentlystandardized for cylindrical pharmacy bottles. Additionally, thecontainer bodies may have rectangular cuboidal shape, e.g., forergonomic reasons or improved packing efficiency relative to cylindricalcontainers. For instance, cuboids, i.e. rectangular parallelepipeds, aswell as cubes, can achieve 100% ordered packing density when orderpacked, filled or unfilled, in mailing and shipping boxes when thedimensions of the boxes are integer multiples of the dimensions of thecuboid. For comparison purposes, cylindrical objects such as popularpharmacy bottles can only achieve a maximum ordered packing density ofabout 92%. The container bodies also can include finger grips, ifdesired.

The container bodies need not be entirely rigid, and may comprise someflexible elements. For example, a closure may be adapted to interfacewith a supple or elastic sac or pouch-type container. An exemplaryinterface is a rigid or semi-rigid circular or polygonal profiledtubular element extension of the closure leading into the mouth of sacor pouch, and joined, sealed or bonded by any suitable adhesive,optical, ultrasonic, mechanical (e.g., sewing, stapling, etc.) orthermal means, for example. Alternatively, the pouch or sack couldinclude a rigid or semi-rigid adapter for attaching the closure, e.g.,akin to a bottle neck and including means for engaging, sealing with,and locking onto the closure (e.g., threading, a snap-fit, adhesivebonding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, inductive bonding, and thelike).

Optionally, the slider can comprise more than one depressible tab, whichgenerally causes no undue burden for adults to operate, but provides anadditional challenge for children, particularly with increasing distanceof separation between the tabs. A reason for this is because it isphysically challenging for a young (about five years old or less)child's digit (e.g., finger or thumb) to span separated tabs, but easyfor an adult's digit to span the same distance.

Optionally, the closures may include one or more insertable lockingelements to prevent the tab from being depressed or to prevent theslider form being displaced until the locking mechanism is disengaged,e.g., as in FIGS. 16-18 , or as disclosed in the aforementioned Batzelpatents.

The container may optionally incorporate a wrap, tape or filmstrategically placed over the closure-container interface, over theslider port, the main opening, or the slider, for example, to indicatetampering, to provide barrier to certain gases or liquids, for bothpurposes, or for other purposes. Preferred barrier materials includePVDC copolymer film and axially-oriented PET, particularly when thesefilms are multilayered with other polymers or metals. Such wraps, tapes,or films can be bonded to the closure or closure and container using anyjoining technology that is suitable for the various materials involvedsuch as, for example, adhesive, thermal bonding, and solvent,ultrasonic, RF or optical welding at strategic locations and may furtherinclude an optional pull tab. Such wraps, tapes and films also aredisclosed in the aforementioned Batzel patents.

The areal dimensions and shape of the main opening need not match thedimensions or shape of the slider. In some preferred embodiments, aledge structure or landing is present below the slider, and the mainopening of the closure is defined within and framed by the ledge. Theledge structure provides for better gas and liquid sealing at theinterface between the slider and the container opening. In general, thegreater the surface area of contact between materials at this interface,the greater the seal.

The depressible tab is a spring-biased structure, and the force requiredfor depressing the tab will depend on the spring constant of the biasingspring. The spring-biased structures be constructed as a cantileveredspring (e.g., as in FIGS. 7-15 ), a shaped flat spring (e.g., as inFIGS. 1 and 2 ), a traditional coiled spring, a leaf-spring, aBelleville spring (a flexible dome-shaped spring with a central openingthrough the center of the dome; also known as a spring washer), aBelleville-like dome spring (e.g., a resilient bubble or dome on top ofthe slider without central opening, such as in FIGS. 3 and 4 ), a gasspring (a volume of compressible gas within a flexible or variablevolume housing), and the like. Generally, the force for depressing thespring-biased tab structure will depend, e.g., on the physicalproperties of the material from which the tab is constructed, thephysical dimensions of the materials (e.g., thickness, length, width,etc.), the configuration of the spring, and the like.

In some embodiments, the depressible tabs can have a cantilever form(e.g., with one fixed end acting as a fulcrum structure, and an opposedfree end that is angled away from the top surface of the slider, so thatthe tab is essentially a lever. The force required to depress thecantilevered depressible tab depends on the length of the tab asmeasured from the free end to the fixed fulcrum end. The closer the freeend is to the fulcrum, the greater the force that will be required todepress the tab for a given tab material (e.g., type of plastic), and agiven tab dimensions. The force for depressing the tab will also dependon the type of material (e.g., the type of plastic) used to form thecantilever, as well as the physical dimensions of the materials, asdiscussed above. Cantilevered tabs can include a partial longitudinalsplit, if desired, extending from the head (free end) of the cantilevertoward the fulcrum of fixed end of the cantilever. The split (e.g., asshown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 13A) provide an additional level ofintellectual challenge (e.g., for a child) for unlocking and displacingthe slider, as both portions of the split tab must be depressed to clearthe slider port for displacement through the portal. Any cantileveredtab may include such as split, if desired. The cantilevered tabs can beplanar in form, partially curved in the direction from fulcrum to freeend (longitudinally curved), arched from side to side (e.g., so that themiddle of the cantilever is arched further from the outer surface of theslider than the edges, or so that the middle portion of the cantileverin closer to the outer surface of the slider than the edges) or anycombination of such forms. Additionally, for any embodiments describedherein, the outer surface of the tab (i.e., the surface that faces awayfrom the outer surface of the slider) can include a tactile and/orvisual cue, such as a “finger depression”, texturing (e.g., ridges,bumps, stippling, etc.), writing, symbols, color, or a combinationthereof, to aid the user in locating the most advantageous location toapply force to depress the tab and move the sider. Depressing the tab inthe preferred location as provided by a cue, also minimizes undue stressand strain on the tab structure, minimizes damage and can minimizematerial use.

Any of the containers and closures described herein can include or bemodified to include sliders with head portions which, in the fullyclosed position, can terminate at the beginning of the slider port,extend into the slider port or extend through the slider port, asdescribed herein for various specific embodiments. The shape of theslider port is designed to complement the shape and configuration of theslider and depressible tab, and the presence or absence of, e.g., a headportion that extends into or through the slider port in the closedconfiguration. The head of the slider can be configured to aid inpulling the slider open, pushing the slider closed, or both. The head ofthe slider can comprise a raised structure that fills or partially fillsthe slider port in the closed configuration, e.g., as in FIGS. 1-8 .Alternatively, the head can be designed to protrude all the way throughthe slider port in the closed configuration providing a shaped head suchas, e.g., in FIGS. 10-18, and 20-23 . In many embodiments, the head ofthe slider protrudes into at least a portion of the slider port. Shapedslider heads that protrude through the slider port can be utilized toaid in pulling the slider open, pushing the slider to the fully closedposition, or both. Slider heads that block the slider port in the closedconfiguration can help hide the slider port and increase theintellectual challenge for a child to determine how to open thecontainer.

Similarly, any of the containers and closures described herein caninclude or be modified to include cantilevered depressible tabs withhead portions which, in the fully closed position, can terminate at thebeginning of the slider port, extend into the slider port, or extendthrough the slider port, as described herein for various specificembodiments. The shape of the slider port is designed to complement theshape and configuration of the slider and tab, and the presence orabsence of, e.g., a head portion that extends into or through the sliderport in the closed configuration. The head of the tab can be configuredto aid in depressing the tab, providing a sealing pressure between theclosure body and the slider, providing an additional locking mechanismto maintain the tab in a closed configuration, or any combinationthereof. The head of a cantilevered tab can be split longitudinally, asdescribed herein (see e.g., FIGS. 12A and 13A) to provide additionalintellectual challenges to opening the container, e.g., due to the needto depress both portions of the split tab. The shape of the slider portis adjusted to accommodate a tab head that protrudes through the sliderport when the slider is closed (e.g., as in FIGS. 10 and 11 ).

The force required to depress the tab can be selected to achieve anoptimal human factor and ergonomic performance using well known theoriesand methods of chemistry, materials science, mechanical engineering andphysics. In general, important factors will be, e.g., material stiffness(elastic and flexural moduli), dimensions, the angle made at thejunction between the depressible tab and slider, and the position alongdepressible tab where the downward force is applied.

There are some uses of the containers and closures described herein thatmay not require a tight seal (liquid or gas) between the bottom of theslider and the main opening of the closure. In many case, however, agas-tight or liquid-tight seal will be necessary. However, as describedherein, some embodiments of the closures are configured with specializedsealing features in order to maximize content integrity. Such sealingfeatures may be important for the dispensing of medications (e.g., byprescription, over the counter, etc.), for example. According to theUnited Stated Pharmacopeia (USP), a package's closure for dispensingmedications should fall within a “well closed” or “tight” criteria asdefined by the Moisture Vapor Permeations Test (MVPR, aka MVTR, andWVTR). MVTR testing determines the moisture vapor transmission ratebetween a surrounding environment and a closure mechanism of a package.It is important to note that the package material type and package wallthickness also play a vital role in permeability, since diffusion ofoxygen and moisture also occurs through the package material as well.However, having a satisfactory closure mechanism should ensure that theoverall permeation is at a minimal level. MVTR testing for anymulti-unit container without a foil seal involves randomly selecting 10containers, and properly opening and closing each container about 30times, filling each container approximately ⅔ of capacity at eachdecadent. Each container is weighed to the nearest 0.1 mg and recordedinitially. Containers are stored at a constant 75±3% relative humidityand a temperature of 23±2° C. After 336±1 hours, the final weights ofthe individual containers are recorded. Then, using the formula below, arate of moisture permeability may be calculated (in mg/day/L):(1000/14V)[(T _(F) −T ₁)−(C _(F) −C ₁)], where

-   -   V represents the volume (in mL) of the container,    -   (T_(F)−T₁) is the difference (in mg) between the final and        initial weights, and    -   (C_(F)−C₁) is the difference (in mg) between the average final        and initial weights of the 2 controls.        For containers used for drugs dispensed on prescription, results        are graded as follows:    -   Well-Closed. Not more than 1 of the 10 containers exceeds 2000        mg/day/L in moisture permeability, and none exceeds 3000        mg/day/L in moisture permeability; and    -   Tight: Not more than 1 of the 10 containers exceeds 100 mg/day/L        in moisture permeability, and none exceed 200 mg/day/L. For        containers to be considered “tight”, an additional foil seal is        usually necessary, e.g. for medications that need to have a        greater shelf life such as over the counter medications.

One way to create a good seal is to match polish the dimensions of thematerials used for the closure body and slider precisely to make a tightfit. Another way is to take advantage of the spring behavior ofcantilever style depressible tabs, and to engage a portion of the tabwith the framing structure around the slider port to create a positivedownward force opposing the biasing of the cantilever, which is thentranslated to the slider an underlying structure of the closure body.Another way to achieve this sealing function is using raised structureson the outer surface of the slider (e.g., ridges, rails or bumps) thatwill engage with, and be partially compressed by, complementarilyarranged structures (e.g., a shaped ridge or rail) on the closure bodywhen the sider is fully closed (i.e., to create an interference fit,which causes a positive sealing force between the bottom of the sliderand the underlying structures of the closure body that contact theslider). The constant contact and the force between the slider and theunderlying portions of the closure body can be made to vary by adjustingthe geometry, dimensions and material properties of the variouscomponents to produce a positive seal appropriate for the contents ofthe container and the environmental conditions that the container isexposed.

Another embodiment achieving a good seal is to include a flexible orresilient element on the bottom of the slider or on a ledge below theslider in which the main opening of the closure is defined. Theresilient element can deform slightly under pressure created by thestructures holding the slider in place in the closed configuration tocreate a seal around the main opening. Such a resilient element can be,e.g., a “crab claw” element, a resilient coating, or a resilient layeron either the slider bottom or the ledge surrounding main opening. A“crab claw” seal element is named after its shape, due to a generalresemblance between the appearances of the sealing surface (when viewedin side section) to the profile of a crab claw. Typically, a crab clawcomprises a thin flexible seal that compresses against a sealingsurface. A crab claw may have a pronounced symmetric curvature and havea footprint that corresponds to the surface of the ledge, and may becomprised of a thin, flexible material of generally uniform wallthickness. These characteristics permit the crab claw, when slider iscompressed downward, to push against the ledge surface in order to forma gasket-like seal between the slider and the ledge. Other sealingstructures are described in the aforementioned Batzel patents.

Optionally, the ledge or landing upon which the slider moves (e.g., arail, the bottom of a groove, a platform, etc.), or the bottom of theslider, or both, can include a sealing structure that will provide anair-tight or fluid-tight seal around the main opening of the closure toaid in preventing contamination and leakage of the contents of thecontainer. For example, a relatively soft or compressible gasket, eitherinserted into slider-groove or inserted around the slider may beemployed to improve the gas and liquid seal provided said gasket doesn'tsubstantially interfere with the motion of the slider. Preferably, anysealing or gasket element employed is molded to have a precisenoninterfering shape. In some embodiments the gasket comprises a raisedridge on the top (outward-facing) side of a ledge framing the mainopening, which contacts and seals with the interior side of the sliderwhen in the closed configuration. In some other embodiments the gasketcomprises a raised ridge on the bottom (interior-facing) side of theslider, positioned so as to frame and seal the main opening when theslider is in the closed configuration. In yet other embodiments thesealing element comprises a raised ridge as described above, and acomplementary trough configured to mate with the ridge when the slideris in the closed configuration, in which case the ridge would be formedon one surface (either the bottom of the slider or the top of the ledgeor platform) and the trough would be defined on the opposed surface.

In some cases, debris (e.g., powder from broken medicine tablets), maycollect in the slider-grooves, and underlying ledge, and the like. Oneway to allow such debris to be self-cleared, is to include a secondaryopening on a face of the closure opposite the slider port, so that whenthe slider is returned to the closed configuration, and underlyingdebris is pushed out through the secondary opening. If such a secondaryopening is included, the travel of the slider towards the secondaryopening needs to be limited, e.g., by a stop on the slide, the secondaryopening, or both. One way is to employ one or more sufficiently tallprotrusions on the slider and proximal to the secondary opening. Anotherway is to make the height of the secondary opening shorter than theheight of the slider. Alternatively, the closure body can be designed sothat there is minimal framing where the tail end of the slider (i.e.,the end opposite the head of the slider) rests in the closedconfiguration, and the tail end of the slider is only restrained inselected locations.

In some embodiments, multiple containers with individual slider closuresmay be joined together, in any suitable arrangement (e.g., side-by-side,bottom-to-bottom, side-by-side and bottom-to-bottom, and the like).Alternatively, or in addition, a single container body may comprisemultiple independent internal chambers for holding different contents,which each chamber being associated with a separate slider arrangement.In yet other embodiments, a single container body may comprise multipleindependent internal chambers for holding different contents, and asingle slider or sliding closure may be used to access two side-by-sidechambers, using a slider that can be selectively displaced in twoopposed directions to two different open configurations, from a singleclosed configuration.

Various portions of the container body or closure may be made opaque, tovarious extents, to selected wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation,such as ultraviolet light and visible light for example, and to variousenergetic particles. One reason for doing this is to maintain the purityof contents that would otherwise be affected by certain wavelengths orparticles. Another reason is to shield workers and consumers fromdangerous radiation or particles emitted by radioactive contents. Meansfor blocking selected wavelength of light or blocking other forms ofradiation are well known in the materials art.

In a similar vein, the container body or closure may be made lesspermeable to certain gas and liquid permeates, in particular oxygen andwater vapor, by increasing the thickness, of by judicious selection ofmaterials, as is well known in the packaging art.

Frequently in the design of containers for foods and medicines it isnecessary to consider whether or not any substances, such asplasticizers and monomers for example, might migrate from the containerbody or closure to contaminate the contents of the container.Appropriate materials for constructing the container body and closure toavoid such contamination are well known in the packaging art.

A force between the slider and its supporting structures can begenerated that provides for a better seal. Sealing is often better whena relatively softer material presses against a relatively hardermaterial, or when both materials are relatively soft. For example, onemay use a softer thermoplastic elastomer for the slider and a harderthermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, as part of thebottom-ledges of the slider-groove. When regulatory guidelines limit theselection of materials to standard materials such as polypropylene thento provide for a better has and liquid seal one can use polypropylenefor both the slider and the bottom-ledges and employ a third softergasketing material between them. Alternatively one may apply, fit, moldor otherwise include a softer element on the bottom of a polypropyleneslider, around the perimeter of the main opening, or both, in order toachieve better sealing.

General manufacturing methods can be used to prepare the closure bodies,sliders and container bodies, and include injection molding,particularly when thermoplastic or elastomeric materials are used, aswell as overmolding techniques when for example metallic materials aresurrounded with plastic, or blow molding, particularly when glass orplastic materials are employed. Various parts or components may bemanufactured separately and then assembled. In fact, in some cases inorder to facilitate filling it may be desirable to separately fabricatea portion, side or face of a container body or closure, and subsequentlypermanently join the portion, side or face to the rest of the containerbody or closure.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , show, in perspective views, an embodiment of asafety container in a closed and locked state (FIG. 1 ) and an open andunlocked state (FIG. 2 ). Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the container 100comprises a container body 102 integrally joined to a closure portion101 comprising slider 105 engaged within frame 130. Stops 109, which aidin preventing slider 105 from being inadvertently removed from closureportion 101 protrude from the upper surface of slider 105. Stops 109and/or frame 130 preferably are composed of a resilient material so thatthe stops and/or frame can be deformed by applying a force on slider 105in excess of the force required to merely open the container, so thatstops 109 can pass through slider port 104 to completely remove slider105 from closure portion 101. It should be understood that slider 105can be reattached to the rest of the closure portion 101, or attachedfor the first time, by inserting the slider back into slider port 104and applying a modest force to urge stops 109 through slider port 104.Stops 109 may be permanently attached to slider 105 by means of apermanent adhesive, for example, or may be made part of the slider(e.g., by molding or 3D printing) or may be removeably attached (e.g.,by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive, by screwing into the surfaceof slider 105, and the like).

Depressible tab 108 protrudes from the upper surface of slider 105 to aheight greater than the height of slider port 104 and is positionedadjacent the portion of frame 130 that comprises blocking bar 103 anddefines slider port 104. Tab 108, in its resting, non-depressed state,prevents slider 105 from being displaced through slider port 104. Whenthe user wishes to open container 100, slider 105 can be displacedthrough slider port 104 by depressing tab 108 and urging the sliderthough slider port 104 to uncover main opening 107. Head portion 140extends from the end of slider 105 and is adapted and arranged to fillslider port 104 when the slider is the closed configuration shown inFIG. 2 . Slider 105 rides within slider groove 106 in frame 130, withthe bottom peripheral edge of slider 105 resting upon landing 120 ofslider groove 106. Optionally, landing 120 of slider groove 106 canpartially extend inward forming a platform or ledge restricting the sizeof main opening 107 to any desired shape or size.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 , depressible tab 108 is in the form of a resilient,arched elongate flat spring attached at both ends (108 a and 108 b)thereof to slider 105. Tab 108 is positioned parallel to head portion140 and spaced from head portion 140 by slightly more than the width ofblocking bar 103, so that in the closed configuration tab 108 isadjacent to blocking bar 103 and prevents displacement of slider 105through slider port 104. Access to the container contents isaccomplished by depressing tab 108 to a height that clears blocking bar103 and urging the slider through slider port 104 a distance sufficientto allow access to the contents of the container. While slider 105 isshown flat in FIGS. 1 and 2 , it can alternatively be of curved(arcuate) form, with the other components of the closure 101 adapted, asneeded, to accommodate the curvature.

Depressible tab 108 acts as a compressible machined spring, whichrebounds once released from its compressed state. Optionally, more thanone tab 108 may be present on slider 105, depending on the size of theslider and tabs. Alternatively, the elongate band of tab 108 may bepermanently affixed on one end, and merely restrained at its other end,either by some engagement with slider 105 (e.g., a slot, a loop or othermeans of holding the non-fixed end in place) or by the curvature of theband making up tab 108. As another alternative, both ends of tab 108 maybe restrained in contact with slider 105 by insertion into slots, loops,or the like. The band may be composed of any material (e.g., plastic,metal, or ceramic) that will not undergo permanent deformation undernormal usage conditions (such as that generated by an adult's fingertippressure).

As described above, slider port 104 is filled and covered by head 140when the slider 105 is in the closed configuration making it moredifficult to see and/or determine the direction or approach to open thecontainer. This adds to the intellectual challenge of opening thecontainer and increases child resistance. Optionally, head 140 may beomitted if desired. Optionally, stops 109 may also be omitted, ifdesired.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , show, in perspective views, an embodiment of asafety container in a closed and locked state (FIG. 3 ) and an open andunlocked state (FIG. 4 ). Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the container 200comprises container body 202 integrally joined to a closure portion 201comprising slider 205 engaged within frame 230. Stops 209, which aid inpreventing slider 205 from being inadvertently removed from closureportion 201 protrude from the upper surface of slider 205. Stops 209and/or frame 230 preferably are composed of a resilient material so thatthe stops and/or frame can be deformed by applying a force on slider 205in excess of the force required to merely open the container, so thatstops 209 can pass through slider port 204 to completely remove slider205 from closure portion 201. It should be understood that slider 205can be reattached to the rest of the closure portion 201, or attachedfor the first time, by inserting the slider back into slider port 204and applying a modest force to urge stops 209 through slider port 204.Stops 209 may be permanently attached to slider 205 by means of apermanent adhesive, for example, or may be made part of the slider(e.g., by molding or 3D printing) or may be removably attached (e.g., bymeans of a pressure sensitive adhesive, by screwing into the surface ofslider 205, and the like).

Depressible tab 208 protrudes from the upper surface of slider 205 to aheight greater than the height of slider port 204 and is positionedadjacent the portion of frame 230 that comprises blocking bar 203 anddefines slider port 204. Tab 208, in its resting, non-depressed state,prevents slider 205 from being displaced through slider port 204. Whenthe user wishes to open container 200, slider 205 can be displacedthrough slider port 204 by depressing tab 208 and urging the sliderthough slider port 204 to uncover main opening 207. Head portion 240extends from the end of slider 205 and is adapted and arranged to fillslider port 204 when the slider is the closed configuration shown inFIG. 4 . Slider 205 rides within slider groove 206 in frame 230, withthe bottom peripheral edge of slider 205 resting upon landing 220 ofslider groove 206. Optionally, landing 220 of slider groove 206 canpartially extend inward forming a platform or ledge restricting the sizeof main opening 207 to any desired shape or size.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 , depressible tab 208 is in the form of a resilientdome spring, which can be open to the inner side of the slider, can beclosed-off and hollow (e.g., a gas filled bubble-like structure), or canbe closed-off and filled with, or composed of, a resilient solidmaterial. Tab 208 is positioned adjacent head portion 240 and spacedfrom head portion 240, so that in the closed configuration tab 208 isadjacent to blocking bar 203 and prevents displacement of slider 205through slider port 204. Access to the container contents isaccomplished by depressing depressible tab 208 to a height that clearsblocking bar 203 and urging the slider through slider port 204 adistance sufficient to allow access to the contents of the container.While slider 205 is shown flat in FIGS. 3 and 4 , it can alternativelybe of curved (arcuate) form, with the other components of the closure201 adapted, as needed, to accommodate the curvature.

Depressible tab 208 acts as a compressible spring which rebounds oncereleased from its compressed state. Optionally, more than one tab 208may be present on slider 205, depending on the size of the slider andtabs. Tab 208 may be composed of any material that will not undergopermanent deformation under normal usage conditions (such as thatgenerated by an adult's fingertip pressure). In some embodiments, tab208 is a hollow dome of resilient plastic filled with a gas. In someother embodiments, tab 208 is a dome of resilient plastic filled with aresilient foam or gel material. In some other embodiments, tab 208 is adome that is hollow and open to the inner side of the slider 205.

As described above, slider port 204 is filled and covered by headportion 240 when the slider 205 is in the closed configuration making itmore difficult to see and/or determine the direction or approach to openthe container. This adds to the intellectual challenge of opening thecontainer and increases child resistance. Optionally, head portion 240may be omitted if desired. Optionally, stops 209 may also be omitted, ifdesired.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , show, in perspective views, an embodiment of asafety container in a closed and locked state (FIG. 5 ) and an open andunlocked state (FIG. 6 ). Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the container 300comprises container body 302 integrally joined to a closure portion 301comprising slider 305 engaged within frame 330. Stops 309, which aid inpreventing slider 305 from being inadvertently removed from closureportion 301 protrude from the upper surface of slider 305. Stops 309and/or frame 330 preferably are composed of a resilient material so thatthe stops and/or frame can be deformed by applying a force on slider 305in excess of the force required to merely open the container, so thatstops 309 can pass through slider port 304 to completely remove slider305 from closure portion 301. It should be understood that slider 305can be reattached to the rest of the closure portion 301, or attachedfor the first time, by inserting the slider back into slider port 304and applying a modest force to urge stops 309 through slider port 304.Stops 309 may be permanently attached to slider 305 by means of apermanent adhesive, for example, or may be made part of the slider(e.g., by molding or 3D printing) or may be removeably attached (e.g.,by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive, by screwing into the surfaceof slider 305, and the like).

Depressible tab 308 protrudes from the upper surface of slider 305 to aheight greater than the height of slider port 304 and is positionedadjacent the portion of frame 330 that comprises blocking bar 303 anddefines slider port 304. Tab 308, in its resting, non-depressed state,prevents slider 305 from being displaced through slider port 304. Whenthe user wishes to open container 300, slider 305 can be displacedthrough slider port 304 by depressing tab 308 and urging the sliderthough slider port 304 to uncover main opening 307. Head portion 340extends from the end of slider 305 and is adapted and arranged to fillslider port 304 when the slider is the closed configuration shown inFIG. 6 . Slider 305 rides within slider groove 306 in frame 330, withthe bottom peripheral edge of slider 305 resting upon landing 320 ofslider groove 306. Optionally, landing 320 of slider groove 306 canpartially extend inward forming a platform or ledge restricting the sizeof main opening 307 to any desired shape or size.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 , depressible tab 308 is in the form of a spring-biasedbar, which is engaged with a base 321 on the outer surface of slider 305with a spring or spring-like material such as a resilient foam (notshown) housed between tab 308 and base 321. Tab 308 is moveable withinbase 321 and is retained in base 321 by any convenient or desired means,e.g., by catches or protrusions on an inner edge of tab 308 that engageswith a mated catch or protrusion on an inner edge of base 321. Tab 308is positioned adjacent head portion 340 and spaced from head portion340, so that in the closed configuration tab 308 is adjacent to blockingbar 303 and prevents displacement of slider 305 through slider port 304.Access to the container contents is accomplished by depressingdepressible tab 308 to a height that clears blocking bar 303 and urgingthe slider through slider port 304 a distance sufficient to allow accessto the contents of the container. While slider 305 is shown flat inFIGS. 5 and 6 , it can alternatively be of curved (arcuate) form, withthe other components of the closure 301 adapted, as needed, toaccommodate the curvature.

Depressible tab 308 acts as a compressible spring which rebounds oncereleased from its compressed state. Optionally, more than one tab 308may be present on slider 305, depending on the size of the slider andtabs. Tab 308 may be composed of any material (e.g., plastic, metal,ceramic; etc.) and is spring-based to be depressible by the force suchas that generated by an adult's fingertip pressure. Upon release of theforce, tab 308 rebounds.

As described above, slider port 304 is filled and covered by headportion 340 when the slider 305 is in the closed configuration making itmore difficult to see and/or determine the direction or approach to openthe container. This adds to the intellectual challenge of opening thecontainer and increases child resistance. Optionally, head portion 340may be omitted if desired. Optionally, stops 309 may also be omitted, ifdesired.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show, in perspective views, an embodiment of a safetycontainer in a closed and locked state (FIG. 7 ) and an open andunlocked state (FIG. 8 ). Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the container 400comprises container body 402 integrally joined to a closure portion 401comprising slider 405 engaged within frame 430. Stops 409, which aid inpreventing slider 405 from being inadvertently removed from closureportion 401 protrude from the upper surface of slider 405. Stops 409and/or frame 430 preferably are composed of a resilient material so thatthe stops and/or frame can be deformed by applying a force on slider 405in excess of the force required to merely open the container, so thatstops 409 can pass through slider port 404 to completely remove slider405 from closure portion 401. It should be understood that slider 405can be reattached to the rest of the closure portion 401, or attachedfor the first time, by inserting the slider back into slider port 404and applying a modest force to urge stops 409 through slider port 404.Stops 409 may be permanently attached to slider 405 by means of apermanent adhesive, for example, or may be made part of the slider(e.g., by molding or 3D printing) or may be removeably attached (e.g.,by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive, by screwing into the surfaceof slider 405, and the like).

Depressible tabs 408 protrude from the upper surface of slider 405 to aheight greater than the height of slider port 404 and is positionedadjacent the portion of frame 430 that comprises blocking bar 403 anddefines slider port 404. Tabs 408, in their resting, non-depressedstates, prevent slider 405 from being displaced through slider port 404.When the user wishes to open container 400, slider 405 can be displacedthrough slider port 404 by depressing tabs 408 and urging the sliderthough slider port 404 to uncover main opening 407. Head portion 440extends from the end of slider 405 and is adapted and arranged to fillslider port 404 when the slider is the closed configuration shown inFIG. 8 . Slider 405 rides within slider groove 406 in frame 430, withthe bottom peripheral edge of slider 405 resting upon landing 420 ofslider groove 406. Optionally, landing 420 of slider groove 406 canpartially extend inward forming a platform or ledge restricting the sizeof main opening 407 to any desired shape or size, e.g., as in platform612 in FIG. 10 .

In FIGS. 7 and 8 , depressible tabs 408 are in the form of a pair ofopposed, cantilevered strips which each have a fixed end (408 a)attached to the upper surface of slider 405 and an opposite free endraised above the outer surface of slider 405 to a height greater thanthe height of slider port 404. The free ends of tabs 408 face oneanother. Each tab 408 is aligned parallel to head portion 440 and spacedfrom head portion 440, so that in the closed configuration tabs 408 areadjacent to blocking bar 403 and prevent displacement of slider 405through slider port 404. Access to the container contents isaccomplished by depressing depressible tabs 408 to a height that clearsblocking bar 403 and urging the slider through slider port 404 adistance sufficient to allow access to the contents of the container.While slider 405 is shown flat in FIGS. 7 and 8 , it can alternativelybe of curved (arcuate) form, with the other components of the closure401 adapted, as needed, to accommodate the curvature.

Depressible tabs 408 act as compressible springs which rebound oncereleased from their compressed state. Optionally, the free ends of tabs408 may be spaced apart from each other at a distance sufficient for asingle adult digit (finger or thumb) to depress both tabs 408 at once,but far enough apart to make it difficult for a single juvenile digit(finger or thumb) to depress both tabs 408 at the same time. Tabs 408may be composed of any material (e.g., plastic, metal, ceramic; etc.)that is sufficiently resilient to repeatedly spring back up whenreleased.

As described above, slider port 404 is filled and covered by headportion 440 when the slider 405 is in the closed configuration making itmore difficult to see and/or determine the direction or approach to openthe container. This adds to the intellectual challenge of opening thecontainer and increases child resistance. Optionally, head portion 440may be omitted if desired. Optionally, stops 309 may also be omitted, ifdesired. An alternative embodiment may include just one tab 408, insteadof two or more.

Optionally, closure portions or bodies 101, 201, 301 and 401 of FIGS. 1through 8 may be included in a separate cap (e.g., as in FIGS. 13, 14,and 19-25 ), rather than as an integral part of the container body, aswill be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art uponreading the present disclosure

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a safety container 500, whichcomprises a cylindrical container body 502, closed at both ends byendcaps 550. Closure body 501 is mounted on container body 502 andcomprises frame 530 defining slider port 504 topped with blocking bar503. Slider 505 is mounted within frame 530 in the same manner assliders 105, 205, 305, and 405 are mounted in frames 130, 230, 330, and430 in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 , respectively, except that slider 505 iscurved and is mounted within a curved groove in frame 530. FIG. 9 showsslider 505 in a closed configuration which covers a main opening intocontainer 500, as in FIGS. 1 through 8 . Slider 505 includes stops 509which serve the same function and are constructed in the same manner asstops 109, 209, 309, and 409 in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 , respectively.

Depressible tab 508 extends from the outer surface of slider 505. InFIG. 9 , depressible tab 508 is in the form of a single cantileveredbar, which is fixed at one end 508 a to the outer surface of slider 505,and has an opposite free end 508 b disposed adjacent to blocking bar 503above slider port 504. Free end 508 b of tab 508 is raised above thesurface of slider 505. Frame 530 and slider 505 are oriented so that thecurvature of the frame and the slider follow the curvature ofcylindrical body 502, and slider 505 opens by sliding parallel toendcaps 550 in the direction of curved arrow A. The container is openedby depressing the free end of tab 508 sufficiently to clear blocking bar503, and urging slider 505 and tab 508 through slider port 504. Uponrelease, the free end of tab 508 rebounds to its original height abovethe outer surface of slider 505. To close container 500, slider 505 issimply urged back through slider port 504 in the reverse of its opening,which automatically depresses tab 508 to clear blocking bar 503.Optionally, more than one tab 508 may be included on slider 505, and/ortab 508 can be replaced by any other tab form described herein (e.g.,tabs such as are shown in FIGS. 1-8 ).

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show, in perspective views, an embodiment of asafety container in an open and unlocked state (FIG. 10 ) and in aclosed and locked state (FIG. 11 ). Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 , thecontainer 600 comprises container body 602 joined to a closure body 601comprising slider 605 engaged within frame 630 between platform 612 andangle brackets 610 a mounted on platform or landing 612. Brackets 610 aare mounted on platform 612 by a vertical portion extendingperpendicular to the outer surface of platform 612, capped with ahorizontal portion that extends at a right angle from the verticalportion to overlap edges of slider 605 in the closed configuration. Theangular shape of brackets 610 a is best seen in the cross-section (FIG.24 ) of similar embodiment shown in FIGS. 13, 13A and 14 , in whichbrackets 710 a correspond to brackets 610 a of FIGS. 10 and 11 .Platform 612 is spaced from the horizontal portions of brackets 610 a bya distance sufficient for slider 605 to move between platform 612 andthe horizontal portion of brackets 610 a with a modest level of frictionthat can readily be overcome by a shearing force that can be applied byan adult. Platform 612 also defines main opening 607 in closure body 601for accessing contents of container 600. Stops 609, which aid inpreventing slider 605 from being inadvertently removed from closureportion 601, protrude from the upper surface of slider 605. As in thecase on any of the embodiments described herein, stops 609 and/or frame630 preferably are composed of a resilient material so that the stopsand/or frame can be deformed by applying a force on slider 605 in excessof the force required to merely open the container, so that stops 609can pass through slider port 604 to completely remove slider 605 fromclosure body 601. It should be understood that slider 605 can bereattached to the rest of the closure body 601, or attached for thefirst time, by inserting the slider back into slider port 604 andapplying a modest force to urge stops 609 through slider port 604. Stops609 may be permanently attached to slider 605 by means of a permanentadhesive, for example, or may be made part of the slider (e.g., bymolding or 3D printing) or may be removeably attached (e.g., by means ofa pressure sensitive adhesive, by screwing into the surface of slider605, and the like).

In FIGS. 10 and 11 , depressible tab 608 is in the form of acantilevered bar that is attached to slider 605 at one end and has anopposite head 645 that extends through slider port 604 in the closedstate shown in FIG. 11 . As best shown in FIG. 10 , slider port 604 isin the form or a stacked “pyramid” with a stepped shape that is widestwhere slider 605 must be displaced, a narrower portion 604 b sized toallow the full width of tab 608 to pass through slider port 604 when tab608 is depressed. Slider port 604 also includes another even narrowerportion 604 c immediately below blocking bar 603 that is sized to allowhead 645 of tab 608 to protrude through slider port 604, even in theclosed state, but is narrow enough to block shoulders 622 of tab 608where head 645 begins. A gripping head 642, which is optional, extendsoff of the end of slider 605 that protrudes through slider port 604 inthe closed state. Gripping head 642 can be used for pulling on slider605 to aid in opening, if desired. Optionally, stops 609 may also beomitted, if desired.

Closure 601 preferably is a separate piece that is joined to containerbody 602 either removably by a snap-fit arrangement, or is permanentlybonded to container body 602, e.g., by adhesive, melt bonding, and thelike. Optionally, closure 601 (excluding slider 605) may be an integralpart of container body 602.

FIGS. 13 and 14 shows container 700, which is similar to container 600in FIGS. 10 and 11 , and which operates in a similar matter thereto,with the exception of the certain features of slider 705 and depressibletab 708. FIG. 12 illustrates slider 705 for use with container 700. InFIGS. 12, 13, and 14 , similarly numbered features correspond to thesame features of FIGS. 10 and 11 (e.g., stops 709 correspond to stops609, and the like), with differences pointed out herein. Tab 708 definestab-engagement groove 715 arranged to engage with blocking bar 703 whenslider 705 is in the closed configuration, such that head portion 745 oftab 708 is situated outside of slider port 704. The engagement oftab-engagement groove 715 with bar 703 provides another means forpreventing container 700 from inadvertently being opened. In use, head742 of slider 705 can be grasped and head 745 of tab 708 can bedepressed with one hand, while container 700 is grasped or held in placeby another hand, allowing the user to pull sider 705 open, if desired.Optionally, stops 709 may be omitted, if desired. Optionally, head 742may also be omitted, if desired, or the slider head may have a differentshape or configuration that the illustrated grasping handle form, butwhich still can facilitate opening. In any of these cases, opening andclosing still involves depressing the tab, while movement of the slidermay be accomplished by other means than described above.

FIG. 13A shows a container 700A, which is similar to container 700 ofFIGS. 13 and 14 , and FIG. 12A shows a slider similar to that of FIG. 12, but in which the head of the tab is longitudinally split in into twohalves 745 a and 745 b. The split in tab 708 a in FIGS. 12A and 13Aextends partway into the main portion of tab 708 a. Displacing theslider through the slider port requires both halves 745 a and 745 b ofthe head to be depressed, adding intellectual challenge to a childtrying to open the container.

FIG. 24 shows a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 inplane 24-24 indicated in FIG. 14 . As shown in FIG. 24 , the closurebody 701 and container body 702 are held together by a snap-fit systemcomprising a ridge finish 780 on the inner surface of closure body 701interacting with a grooved finish 781 on the exterior of container body702. Other embodiments with a grooved finish on the closure body and aridge finish on the container body can be contemplated. A ridge andgrooved finish combination is present at the same elevation on each ofthe four sides of the approximately cuboidal container of FIG. 14 . Ingeneral, the longer the ridge and grooved finish on each side, the moreforce is required to attach and remove closure body 701 from containerbody 702.

Optionally, instead of an independent ridge and groove on each side ofthe cuboidal container, an uninterrupted circumferential ridge anduninterrupted groove may be employed about the perimeters of closurebody 701 and container body 702, respectively, to hold the partstogether. In such an embodiment, the force needed to attach and removeclosure body 701 from container body 702 is, in general, even greaterthan for interrupted ridge and groove combinations. Ordinarily, it isdesirable to make the force for attachment and removal sufficiently lowso that the container body (without the closure body) can be filled andthe closure body can then easily be attached at the manufacturer orfiller facility (first-time attached), yet sufficiently high (e.g.,difficult or practically impossible) to prevent the consumer fromseparating the closure body form the container body. This essentiallyforces the consumer access to the contents of the container through themain opening of the closure body (i.e., after retracting the slider).

Other embodiments can be contemplated where the container and closurebodies are round or cylindrical, and in such cases, there may be anuninterrupted circumferential ridge and an uninterrupted circumferentialgroove, or there may be multiple ridge-groove pairs spaced apart aroundthe circumference, similar to the cuboidal embodiment described abovewith respect to FIGS. 14 and 24 . In these round container embodiments,if it desirable that the closure and container bodies do not swivel orrotate, then some form of stopping elements can be incorporated alongwith the ridges and grooves to prevent rotation, as is well known in thecontainer art.

There are many ways to control the relative difficulty or complexity inwhich the closure and container bodies of this invention may be joinedor separated. The relative difficulty or complexity may bephysical-mechanical, intellectual, or both. Consequently, elements orfeatures can be provided which effect the relative permanence of theattachment. For contained products that are dangerous, it is a generalaim to provide elements or features that make it relatively easy for theclosure and container bodies to be first-time attached, in particular bymachine (e.g., by the manufacturer or filler), and practicallypermanently attached when in the hands of the consumer during ordinaryuse, so as to force an adult consumer to access the contents via themain opening after retracting the slider.

As shown in FIG. 24 , ridge 780 and grooved finish 781 have acomplimentary rounded taper or profile. In general, increasing theinterpenetration depth of ridge 780 and grooved finish 781 increases thedifficulty for the consumer to separate the closure body from thecontainer body. For some product contents it may be desirable tostrategically incorporate lug features, either above or below the ridgesor grooves, for example, to facilitate plying the closure body apartfrom the container body, or for other purposes. If desired, ridge andgroove finishes may have other tapers or profiles, such as ahook-undercut complimentary pair, for example, that can be highlyinterlocking, thus making the parts practically permanently attachedduring ordinary consumer use. Alternatively, a groove finish on one bodycan have an elastomeric insert, such as an O-ring, for example, whichmay take the place of the ridge, so long as the insert contacts the sidewalls of the closure and container bodies with sufficient compressiveforce.

Materials employed for the various parts comprising FIG. 14 and anyother embodiments described herein may be independently selected andvary according to a variety of needs. Preferred materials for closurebodies and container bodies for many goods are polymers such aspolypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polystyrenes, otherstyrenic polymers, polyesters, and nylons, for example, in which casethe closure and container bodies can be manufactured by a moldingtechnique. Sometimes composite materials (such as textile-polymercomposites and mineral reinforced polymer composites for example) arepreferred for certain parts when there are certain structuralreinforcement needs such as, for example, when there is a need to makethe container suitable for heavy loads, or when there is a need to makethe container puncture resistant. A leading cause of household petaccidental deaths, in particular, dogs, is from biting into containerscontaining household drug and chemical products. One way to makecontainers stronger in general and more bite resistant in particular isto employ strong puncture-resistant materials (such as for example, ahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) textile, a para-aramidtextile, or textile-polymer composites) and to employ good mechanicalmeans for joining or assembling the various parts.

As shown in FIG. 14 , side wall/frame 730 of closure body 701 preferablyis oriented at an approximately right angle to platform/landing 712, andapproximately parallel with the sides of container body 702, to providethe overall cuboidal shape illustrated in FIG. 14 , to facilitateefficient packing or stacking of multiple units on a store shelf, and/orin transit. Alternatively, the sidewall/frame and/or the containerfinish can be configured to achieve a mutually compressive force to aidin maintaining a tight seal between the closure and container bodies orto resist separation of the closure and container bodies. For example,the angle between the side wall/frame and the platform/landing is acute,or so that the side wall/frame is bowed inward, or even where the sidewall/frame has both an acute angle to the platform/landing, and also isbowed inward. A closure body side wall/frame having said acute angle orbowing could be employed when it is desired to create a compressiveforce between the ridge and groove finishes after joining the closureand container bodies, making certain that the container walls possesssufficient strength to resist the inward compression by the sidewall/frame of the closure body (for example, by selecting theappropriate container wall/body material, dimensions, such as wallthickness, or use of reinforcements such as gussets and struts) in orderto achieve the overall cuboidal shape shown in FIG. 14 . Creating such acompressive force is desirable when one wishes to increase thedifficulty of attaching or separating the parts. In embodiments where auninterrupted circumferential ridges and grooves are present, acompressive force can provide for better sealing of the contents fromexposure to the atmosphere.

Closure body 701 of FIGS. 14 and 24 is separately manufactured fromcontainer body 702, and is slipped or shimmied, with or without theslider, into place over container body 702, engaging ridge 780 withgrooved finish 781, to achieve the overall cuboidal shape shown in FIGS.14 and 24 . When the closure and container body are intended to beseparable, the closure body can be separated from the container body byfirst flexing one or more side wall of container body 702 slightly awayfrom closure body 701 to separate ridge 780 from grooved finish 781, andthen nudging the two bodies apart until they become free.

Alternatively, the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 24 can be altered so thatthe angle between the side wall/frame and the platform/landing is acute,or so that the side wall/frame is bowed inward, or even where the sidewall/frame has both an acute angle to the platform/landing, and also isbowed inward. A closure body side wall/frame having said acute angle orbowing could be employed when it is desired to create a compressiveforce between the ridge and groove finishes after joining the closureand container bodies, making certain that the container walls possesssufficient strength to resist the inward compression by the sidewall/frame of the closure body (for example, by selecting theappropriate container wall/body material, dimensions, such as wallthickness, or use of reinforcements such as gussets and struts) in orderto achieve the overall cuboidal shape shown in FIG. 14 . Creating such acompressive force is desirable when one wishes to increase thedifficulty of attaching or separating the parts. In embodiments where auninterrupted circumferential ridges and grooves are present, acompressive force can provide for better sealing of the contents fromexposure to the atmosphere.

The main opening of the closure body shown in FIG. 14 is formed ordefined by the platform/landing, and optionally more than one mainopening can be included, each opening having a different size and/orshape, if desired.

As shown in FIG. 24 , the bottom surface of platform/landing 712contacts a circumferential inward extension 782 surrounding the open endof container body 702. Optionally, inward extension 782 can be omitted.In the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 24 , the open end of container body702 is larger than main opening 707 of closure body 701. Optionally,embodiments are contemplated with different closure body main openingsand container body open ends, providing different, advantageous,functional features.

An inward extension, when present, can have various thicknesses andinward projecting lengths, and can be employed for advantageous purposessuch as, for example, (i) providing a stop for the closure body; (ii)providing additional structural support and reinforcement of sections ofthe article and even the whole article; (iii) providing a surface for acompressive sealing or seating material (e.g., a liner, O-ring orgasket) between the closure body platform/landing and the inwardextension surfaces; and (iv) providing a surface whereby part of, oreven the entire, surface contact area between the closure bodyplatform/landing; and the inward extension may be permanently bonded orwelded to the platform or landing, for example, using glue, solventwelding, and the CLEARWELD process (TWI, Ltd.), among a variety of otherbonding or welding techniques appropriate for the materials to bejoined. Including a sealing or seating material, as described in (iii)above, is present, or when a bond or weld, as described in (iv) above,uninterruptedly around the perimeter or circumference of the containerin the area between the closure body platform/landing and the inwardextension eliminates a pathway for liquid and gas exchange betweencontents of the container and the atmosphere (i.e., by sealing orrestricting gaps between the closure body and the container body). Thiscontributes to overall better sealing. One preferred welding techniquefor sealing the closure body to the container body, when both theplatform/landing and inward extension are made of polymeric materials,is RF or induction welding or sealing using a RF or induction welding orsealing film situated between the inward extension and the closure bodyplatform/landing, which generates sufficient heat to weld the polymericcomponents and sealing film together when subjected to an external RF orinduction welding or sealing source. This provides permanent attachmentof the closure body to the container body, and contributes to excellentoverall sealing. The sealing film can be an independent article that islaid onto the inward extension surface shortly before joining the bodiestogether, or the sealing film can be affixed or adhered to either thebottom surface of the platform/landing, the top surface of the inwardextension, or both, at some earlier stage (such as at the molding orfabricating company for example), and then subsequently permanentlyjoined by RF or induction welding or sealing means after assembly (suchas at a filling company for example).

It should now be recognized that if an inward extension of the containerbody is not present then, if desired, the wall or landing of the closurebody could accommodate a sealing or seating material as in (iii) aboveor be able to bond to the platform/landing of the closure body like in(iv) above.

It should now be recognized that many types of closure and containerbodies can be contemplated, and they can be designed, fabricated orequipped to have various sealing, joining, separating, and space-savingproperties and advantages. While the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 24 is atype of embodiment where the inside surface of the side walls of theclosure body contacts the outside surface of the container walls, thereare also embodiments that can be contemplated where outside sidesurfaces of the closure body contacts inside side surfaces of thecontainer walls making the closure body more plug-like (somewhat like astopper in a bottle where the closure body would be like the innermember of the stopper and the container body would be like the outermember). These embodiments can provide a very compact article leading tohighly advantageous space-savings, in particular stacking, and can alsobe prone to less damaged when dropped or during transit. They can alsogive sealing advantages. Additional stacking advantages can becontemplated for nearly all embodiments when the bottom surface of thecontainer is constructed to have features complementing orinterpenetrating with the features of, at, or near the top surface ofthe article.

Also, now that the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 24 has been described, itshould be readily understood that novel, advantageous, multi-compartmentembodiments of this general design can be contemplated. The compartmentsmay be vertical, i.e., separated by walls or ribs generally at rightangles to the planes formed by the bottom and top surfaces of thecontainer, or the compartments may be stacked, i.e., separated by wallsor ribs generally parallel with the planes formed by the top and bottomsurfaces of the container. In the case of horizontal compartments, thecompartments being separated by an opening that may be optionallyplugged or sealed (depending upon the particular contents and theirproperties) and when plugged or sealed the plug or seal is able to beremoved or pierced via the main opening of the container when the slideris displaced.

The closure body shown in FIGS. 14 and 24 can be adapted to attach to awide variety of container body forms and is particularly well suited forlarger volume pails and tubs. When the contents are large, such aslaundry detergent packets, for example, then a large main opening andlarge slider are usually preferred so that the consumer can reach intothe container in order to retrieve the contents.

FIG. 15 shows a container embodiment 800 with an integrated closure bodysimilar to that of FIGS. 1-8 , but in which the depressible tab 808 isin the form of a cantilever with a free distal end that terminates justprior to slider port 804 and is blocked by blocking bar 803 in theclosed configuration illustrated in the Figure. Slider 805 includes ashaped head 842 that extends through slider port 804 and has a concavecurved shape to accommodate a finger to apply pressure on slider 805 toensure that the slider is fully seated in its groove or track in theclosed configuration, to aid in ensuring a tight seal between slider 805and closure portion 801. Stops 809 serve the same function as stops 109,209, 309, and 409 in FIGS. 1-8 . Raised bar 811 can provide leverage fora digit to apply a sliding force to slider 805 to open the containerwhile tab 808 is depressed or to retract it to the closed/lockedposition. Rails 810 projecting from frame 830 interact with the slider805 to create a positive downward sealing force on the landing or ledgesleading to overall better sealing.

FIGS. 16 through 18 illustrate container 1000 similar to container 800in FIG. 15 , but comprising a removable locking clip 1060 that isinsertable through slider port 1004 between the upper surface of slider1005 and the raised end of tab 1008 to prevent tab 1008 from beingdepressed. In FIGS. 16 through 18 features 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005,1008, 1009, and 1010 correspond to features 801, 802, 803, 804, 805,808, 809, and 810 in FIG. 15 . Slider 1005 includes extended head 1042on the leading edge thereof, which extends beyond slider port 1004 whenslider 1005 is in the fully closed configuration. Pushing against head1042 helps ensure that slider 1005 is fully closed. Clip 1060 is roughlyfork shaped with a central portion 1061 flanked by two side-tines 1062.Tines 1062 include notches 1064 which can engage with holder pegs 1070of clip holder 1072 on bottom surface 1006 of container body 1002 forstorage of clip 1060 when not in use. In use, notches 1064 engage withsides 1019 of slider port 1004 to hold clip 1060 in place between slider1005 and tab 1008. To remove clip 1060, tines 1062 are pinched towardeach other to disengage notches 1064 from sides 1019.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrates a closure 1101, which is configured as aseparate cap for mating with a separate container body. FIG. 19illustrates the closure body 1101 without a slider, and can be fittedwith any form of generally flat slider described herein through sliderport 1104 between landing 1112 and rails or bars 1110, with appropriateadjustment to the shape of slider port 1104, as needed, to accommodatedifferent tab and slider configurations. Frame 1130 is illustrated in arounded rectangular shape, but can be configured in any desired shape.Rails or bars 1110 and platform 1112 are located within frame 1130.Platform 1112 defines main opening 1107 of closure body 1101. The designof closure body 1101 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 includes optional shoulderregions 1136 over a base region 1138. Base region 1138 would be fittedover the finish of a container body of any form (e.g., cylindrical orcubiform), when in use. Optionally, shoulder regions 1136 can be omittedor can be configured in a different shape. FIG. 20 . illustrates theclosure of FIG. 19 with a slider inserted. In FIGS. 19 and 20 , features1101, 1103, 1104, 1105, 1108, and 1110 correspond to features 801, 803,804, 805, 808, and 810 in FIG. 15 . Slider 1105 optionally possessesstops like the stops 809 in FIG. 15 . Slider 1105 includes extended head1142 on the leading edge thereof, which extends beyond slider port 1104when slider 1105 is in the fully closed configuration. Pushing againsthead 1142 helps ensure that slider 1105 is fully closed. FIG. 20 alsoillustrates a removable protective seal 1113 over the main opening 1107of the closure body 1101. In use, seal 1113 can be peeled off to exposeopening 1107.

FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of an alternative containerconfiguration 1200, with container body 1202 mated with closure body1201 at a slight angle to accommodate one-handed opening. A head portion1242 of a slider 1205 protrudes out of slider port 1204. Container body1202 includes finger grips 1290 to aid in grasping and holding thecontainer for one-handed opening. Any of the container embodimentsdescribed herein can be adapted to include such finger grips, ifdesired.

FIG. 22 illustrates a separate closure body 1301 similar in form toclosure body 1101 in FIG. 20 , but in which slider 1305 includesloop-shaped head 1346 in place of the curved head 1142 of slider 1105.FIG. 23 illustrates a portion of closure body 1301 showing slider port1304, which includes a narrower portion 1304 b sized to allow tab 1308pass through when depressed. Main opening 1307 in FIG. 23 is larger andshaped differently than opening 1107 in FIG. 19 . Features 1304, 1307,1310, 1311, 1330, 1336, and 1338 in FIGS. 22 and 23 correspond tofeatures 1104, 1107, 1110, 1111, 1130, 1136, and 1138 of FIG. 20 .Optional slider stops 1309 serve a similar function as stops 109 in FIG.1 . The finger of a user can be inserted through loop-shaped head 1346to aid in pulling slider 1305 through slider port 1304 when opening. Inaddition, cantilevered tab 1308 includes a depression 1347 as a tactilecue for locating the optimal position for applying pressure to depresstab 1308. Loop-shaped head 1346 is illustrated in the same plane as theremainder of slider 1305; however, head 1346 optionally can be orientedat an angle to the plane of slider 1305 (e.g., a 30 degree angle, a 90degree angle, or any other desired angle), if desired. Optionally, theclosed loop or ring-like shape of head 1346 can be replaced by a partialor open loop (e.g., a semi-loop or hook shape).

FIG. 23 illustrates the upper crown portion of the closure of FIG. 22comprising the elements encompassed within frame 1330, which can also beutilized as a separate closure itself, if desired. The crown or closureis illustrated in the open configuration, showing sealingstrips/elements 1352. Rails 1310 and sealing strips/elements 1352 areconfigured and arranged so that strips/elements 1352 can slide underrails 1310 to apply a force on slider 1305 creating tighter contact withplatform/landing/ledge 1312 in the closed position, and thus improveoverall sealing. Rails 1310 may be rigid or flexible and are constructedto create a slight interference fit with the sealing strips/elements1352 and slider 1305. It is preferred that either the rails 1310 or thesealing strips/elements 1352, or both, be flexible, as this createscompliance between the separately fabricated slider and the closurebody, which leads to improved tolerance stack-up and interchangeabilitybetween these parts. It is even further preferred that rails 1310 arerigid and that sealing strips/elements 1352 are flexible. This providesboth good compliance and maximizes displacement of the slider toward theplatform/landing/ledge 1312, because the rigid rails are furtherreinforced by frame 1330. In a similar manner, if desired, sliders605/705 of the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 14 may also possess sealingstrips or elements on the surface of the slider opposite the mainopening that interact with brackets 610 a/710 a to produce a positivedownward force on platforms/landings 612/712. It is similarly preferredthat brackets 610 a/710 a, sealing elements on sliders 605/705, or bothare flexible. It is even more preferred that brackets 610 a/710 a arerigid and the sealing strips or elements on sliders 605/705 areflexible.

The various closure body parts such as those shown in FIGS. 19-23 can beutilized with a wide variety of container bodies of various volumes andforms, but are particularly well suited, because of their rounded baseportions (1138, 1338), for use with containers, such as bottles and jarsfor example, having a round mouth geometry or a cylinder-like neckgeometry. While the closure and container bodies can be connected in avariety of ways (e.g., by gluing, incorporating push-on/twist-offthreaded features, incorporating continuous threaded features,incorporating snap-fit features, etc.), we have discovered thatchild-resistant connections are particularly advantageous. This isbecause we have discovered that having more than one child-resistantclosure feature in a single container can bring numerous advantages. Forexample, when closure bodies of the kinds shown in FIGS. 19-23 , or anyof the other novel closure bodies described herein, are connected tocontainer bodies using another different kind of child-resistantconnection, this gives consumers a choice between the twochild-resistant closure types to access the contents. Having this choicemakes the child-resistant container much more appealing and much morefunctional to adult consumers of a wider range of conditions,disabilities and impairments.

One exemplary way of making a child-resistant snap-fit connectionbetween closure bodies such as those of FIGS. 19-23 to bottles (i.e.,container bodies) with round mouths or cylinder-like necks is toincorporate child-resistant ridge and groove features into the containerand closure bodies. For example, referring to FIG. 25 , which representsa partial perspective view of a closure body base 1438, corresponding tobase 1138 (FIG. 20 ) and base 1338 of (FIG. 22 ), the inside wall 1484of base 1438 possesses a continuous circumferential groove finish 1485and a locking lug 1486, designed to mate with a bottle 1402 having agapped ridge finish 1487 (FIG. 26 ), resulting in a child-resistantsnap-fit closure assembly. The child-resistant feature in this snap-fitconnection involves rotating the closure body so that the gap 1487 a inridge 1487 of bottle 1402, and the complementary-configured locking lug1486 in the closure base 1438, which is positioned underneath the ridge1487, so that lug 1486 is aligned with gap 1487 a (aided by an indicator1488 on bottle 1402 and a complementary indicator on the closure base1438 of FIG. 25 (not shown) to indicate the correct alignment position),and the prying the closure from the bottle. Other lugs can optionally bepresent on the closure body to provide leverage for this prying action.

The closure body can incorporate additional structures or elements toimprove or provide sealing. One example is a sealing or seating materialaffixed or compressed between the closure body and the landing regionformed around the mouth of the bottle. Another example is a tapered,flexible ring structure encircling the main opening underneath theplatform or landing of the closure body that compression fits into themouth of the bottle.

Any of the closures shown in the attached drawing figures may constitutea separate cap for use with a separate container body, or the portion ofthe closure other than the slider can be an integral part of thecontainer body or can be permanently bonded to the container body, aswill be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art uponreading the present disclosure. Additionally, any feature present on oneclosure or slider shown in the drawing may be included on any otherclosure or slider, as desired. Additionally, the container body can takeany desirable form.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The terms “consisting of” and“consists of” are to be construed as closed terms, which limit anycompositions or methods to the specified components or steps,respectively, that are listed in a given claim or portion of thespecification. In addition, and because of its open nature, the term“comprising” broadly encompasses compositions and methods that “consistessentially of” or “consist of” specified components or steps, inaddition to compositions and methods that include other components orsteps beyond those listed in the given claim or portion of thespecification. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intendedto serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to eachseparate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicatedherein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specificationas if it were individually recited herein. All numerical values obtainedby measurement (e.g., weight, concentration, physical dimensions,removal rates, flow rates, and the like) are not to be construed asabsolutely precise numbers, and should be considered to encompass valueswithin the known limits of the measurement techniques commonly used inthe art, regardless of whether or not the term “about” is explicitlystated. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitableorder unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate certain aspects of the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Nolanguage in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closure for a container that comprises acontainer body defining an interior chamber, and that defines anaperture open to the interior chamber; the closure comprising: a closurebody comprising a platform defining a fixed main opening and a sliderport; wherein the main opening of the closure and the container apertureare aligned to permit access to the interior chamber of the containerwhen the closure body is attached to the container body for use; and theslider port is located in a frame that is perpendicular to andsurrounding the platform; a slider mounted in the closure body coveringthe platform and blocking the main opening, with a portion of the sliderextending into the slide port in a closed configuration; the sliderhaving an inner surface facing the main opening and an opposite outersurface; wherein the slider is configured to be displaceable in adirection leading through the slider port to clear the main opening,exit the closure body partially or completely in an open configuration,and to be displaceable back to the closed configuration; and at leastone resilient depressible tab on the outer surface of the slider;wherein the tab comprises a resilient elongate lever fixed at one endthereof to the outer surface of the slider and having an opposed freeend; the lever being oriented along the displacement direction of theslider and positioned on the slider with the free end extending beyondthe slider port when the slider is in the closed configuration; thelever defining a groove that is spaced from the free end thereof, andthe groove is configured and arranged to receive a blocking bar portionof the frame positioned opposite the portion of the slider within theslider port when the slider is in the closed configuration and the leveris in a released state; the lever extending over the outer surface ofthe slider to a height sufficient for the blocking bar portion of theframe to engage with the groove of the lever in the released state whenthe slider is in the closed configuration, thereby preventing the sliderfrom moving; wherein the lever can be depressed to a height sufficientto disengage the groove of the lever from the blocking bar, so that theslider can be displaced through the slider port; and the lever reboundsto the released state when no longer depressed.
 2. The closure of claim1, further comprising at least one raised portion on the outer surfaceof the slider positioned and configured to allow the slider to beadvanced a selected distance through the slider port and having asufficient height from the outer surface of the slider to be blocked bythe portion of the frame surrounding the slider port and prevent theslider from being wholly removed from the closure body in normal use. 3.The closure of claim 2, wherein the height of the raised portion isselectively adjustable to clear the slider port for full removal of theslider from the closure body.
 4. The closure of claim 1, wherein edgesof the slider ride on one or more internal tracks in the closure body.5. The closure of claim 1, further comprising at least one removablelocking clip engageable with the slider and closure body to preventdepressing the tab.
 6. A container comprising: a container body definingan interior chamber, and defining a container aperture open to theinterior chamber; and a sliding closure of claim 1 affixed to thecontainer body over the container access.
 7. The container of claim 6,wherein the container body defines finger grip sections which aredepressions in the container body configured to aid in grasping andholding the container.
 8. The closure of claim 1, further comprising aloop-shaped grasping head at the end of the slider closest to the sliderport in the closed configuration.
 9. The container of claim 6, furthercomprising a loop-shaped grasping head at the end of the slider closestto the slider port in the closed configuration.